Categories: Current Events

Disclaimer: Homosexuality is frowned upon in Jamaica. Not because were “homophobic” (surely we can’t be afraid of them), but because it is unlawful, as our law is based upon the Bible. Don’t post angry comments or fill my inbox with hate mail!

Good. Needed to do that as my posts concerning that controversial subject have been met with harsh criticism, mainly from Americans. Jamaica is in the midst of an anti-homosexual firestorm, ignited by four separate incidents that happened within a week. On Valentines Day, three alleged gay men were attacked by an angry mob of 2,000 people at Tropical Plaza in Half-Way-Tree. It was so bad that the police had to get involved, using teargas no less. In parliament, there was a debate about the definition of rape. It was proposed to be gender neutral, but the female (victim) and male (offender) definition remained as it was thought it would decriminalize buggery. Days later, a gay man was interviewed on Impact about his lifestyle as a gay man, face hidden of course. But that wasn’t enough. Members of his community recognized and threatened to kill him. He now wants to commit suicide. Nearly a week after the Valentine’s fiasco, three boys less than 11 years old were said to have been seen having sex in an abandoned house. You can pretty much guess the reaction of the residents. Lucky for them, they escaped a serious beating.

Many Jamaicans are shocked by these incidents, and fear that they can no longer keep a lid on homosexuality. I’m not surprised. It has been slowly building under the quiet. They frequent New Kingston and Montego Bay, where their money can shield them. I’ve heard many stories of young men being hit on by them. And knowing the opposition they face, they normally walk with backup. Lesbians are the boldest of all. Most men ignore the lesbians as according to them, “they can’t really have sex,” but have zero tolerance for the gay men, many believing that homosexuality is an affront to masculinity itself. Now it has erupted like a dormant volcano, and people simply don’t know what to do. It’s hard to stamp out a lifestyle, especially with the support from overseas. Good thing no one was hurt, as you’d read all over the BBC and other international newspapers that we’re a savage and backward people, reinforced by the belief that we all smoke weed and have advanced little since colonial times. One thing’s for sure. Homosexuality is here, and despite our greatest efforts, it won’t go away. So we’ll have to deal with it…somehow.